Arms & Armor Burgundian Poleaxe review
Oct 10, 2013 20:32:39 GMT
Post by Beowulf on Oct 10, 2013 20:32:39 GMT
Arms & Armor of Minnesota, USA
#217 Burgundian Poleaxe
A reproduction of Wallace Collection A925
Late in November of 2012 I got a chance to visit Arms & Armor while I was in Minnesota. It was a very pleasant experience and while there I purchased this weapon.
I am not affiliated with Arms & Armor. I paid full price for this piece and it was purchased new.
Skip to "Fit and Finish" if you don't want or need the history lesson.
What Is It?
First a bit about the term. Modern spelling is often "poleaxe" which infers rightly that it is an axe on a pole. "Pole" of course implying a long stick or haft- which they are. This is a basic misunderstanding and mispelling. The historical English term is "pollaxe". The word "poll" seems to be synonymous with the meaning of "head". One could therefore deem this is a "head-axe", "head striking axe", or even perhaps -though wildly inaccurate- a "headsman's axe". My take on the meaning is that it is an axe with a specialized head. Am I wrong? Perhaps! Does the spelling matter? Nope.
The French, as far as I know, called such a weapon a "Hache", which is to say, simply an "axe". The German terms are Axt, Axe, Streitaxt (Battle Axe) or Mordaxt (Death Axe). I am sure there are as many terms for such a weapon as forms of the weapon. The general terms for both forms in German tend to be: "fussstreithammer" (foot/ground battle hammer) and "fussstreitaxt".
The Pollaxe forms a large family of very closely related weapons. The two generally acknowledged groups are the Hammer form, a weapon without an axe blade, with a hammer head opposite of a well formed and robust armour piercing spike generally known as a "raven's beak" or "Bec de Corbin". These are often known today by the shorthand term of "Lucerne Hammer". The second grouping is simply known as the Pollaxe. This is a thin edged, robust bodied axe head often opposite of the same Bec de Corbin. Both variations are often topped with a robust armour piercing spike or spear point.
There is an interesting possibility in Talhoffer's 1459 Fightbook (MS Thott.290.2º) that some pollaxes were modular, reconfigurable weapons. Here is an image showing the pollaxe broken down into components- or the components to make a complete pollaxe, depending on how you take this image. Notice the threading of each component. There are two different "queue" or haft-foot spikes/attachments shown.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_110r.jpg
Also notice in this Fightbook manuscript the variation of pollaxe attachments.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_133r.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_135v.jpg
Really, when you look at such axes you can, if you wish, see their "grandchild" status in relation to the Viking Great Axes. Also it is an obvious thing to say that while not the same as many of the spike/axe/spear-point configured halberds they are closely related.
Really Now, What Is It?
The pollaxe is an anti-armour weapon. It is a knightly weaponized "can-opener". Consider when looking at these next manuscript plates that plate armours were generally about as thick as the steel body panels in a modern car body, with varying thickness dependant on the piece and how sturdy it needed to be made to protect and resist kinetic shock. The thickness and qualities of plate armours is much more complex than this analogy, but I will let that stand as a quick and dirty understanding of what protected these men. Are these images fantasy? I suggest that you might look at the robustness of build of the components of some antique pollaxes. Sometimes in old manuscripts we see images of heroic proportions and actions to lionize a particular personage or nationality. But to me in this case what we are seeing is a really nasty medieval can-opener/super-weapon in action.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_132r.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_134v.jpg
Whatever conclusion you come to, this is some pretty cool art!
Do you want to see more of this fightbook without all that icky old dead/archaic language confusing the issue? I reccomend Jeffery Hull's excellent Fight Earnestly. hemaalliance.com/?p=1548
This pollaxe is a close reproduction of Pollaxe A925 in the Wallace Collection. It is impossible for me to know exactly how close this weapon is to the original. However, Arms & Armor is a well known and respected maker that is lauded for sturdy and accurate reproductions. In order to gauge the accuracy I would need more pictures than are publically available for free, or better yet, the ability to handle the original piece. I personally trust Arms & Armor. If there are inaccuracies they are the result of justifiable reasoning, and not an inability to reproduce or comprehend exactly this or any weapon artifact.
Fit and Finish
Nicely done. Not as ornate as their other pollaxe, which is also based on a museum artifact. While their other pollaxe is perhaps the one more highly sought by HEMA people, this one is sure pretty too. I prefer this one just a bit now. Quite light for such a weapon, weighing in at ever-so-slightly over four pounds. I have swords heavier than this, though they are pretty big swords. This piece is finished quite acceptably. There still exists some forge-black in between the teeth of the hammer. This piece exhibits all the little quirks and asymmetries you would expect upon viewing the original. I really like that.
I am so happy to finally own a spiked/pointed weapon where the spike is actually servicable. It might look dull, but all the cutting/crunching surfaces on pollaxes are optimized to bite into armour and not skate off. Notice the slightly downturned tilt of the hammerhead, this is seen on the original. I would wager this is not a flaw or damage to the original piece but instead puts the hammer inline during a swinging strike... because you don't tap with hammers.
The haft is narrowest where it butts up against the head's base. It gently and consistently expands towards the foot of the haft. For this particular piece, which is not iron/steel shod on the haft-foot, this makes sense. Pollaxe guards/wards are pretty varied, but there is one particular often repeated tactic: present the foot to the opponent while holding the head back past you. When the opponent engages you, recieve the strike on the foot and bring the head of the weapon in as a strike. So since this is unprotected by a cap it really needs to be thick to take such punishment.
The langets (the tongues riveted through the haft holding the head in place) are not inset into the haft. This is perfectly acceptable and is one accurate way in which these (and other polearms) are constructed. People like to go on about the langets protecting the haft of the polearm from being cut off. It is true. I also like to think about the langets preventing a possible fulcrum if something starts to break down structurally in the mounting. The rivetting is spread down the langets, not simply joined in one spot. While I sometimes wonder if other weapons could/did often get cut at strongly enough *in one shot* to require langets, it makes sense for all of these langet equipped designs for a long life out of the object. Pollaxes to me are the exception. I would think another pollaxe or halberd COULD really mess up the haft of something opposing it quite quickly.
Balance in this piece is noted in the pictures. Balance seems like it is also sort of a pointless endeavor with a pollaxe. These weapons are gripped widely in two hands and used much like staves. I would think over all weight matters as much if not more than balance. This pollaxe is quite fast. Upon seeing it in person you are struck at how small overall the head of it actually is dimensionally. Then you realize this head is sitting aloft a quite long haft. These together produce something harmonious and well thought out. It is just big enough, just stout enough to do what it is intended to do, without Conan-weapon proportions needed.
70 inches/178 CM 4.3 LB/1.95 KG
The foot of the haft showing a bit of hand rounding.
Obliques of the head. Notice the edge bevelling. Perfectly acceptable. This is not a sword after all.
Balance point is at index finger
Just wicked. Notice the bit of forge-black peeking out from inside the crown of hammer teeth.
An HT blunt trainer longsword and an A&A Durer longsword for scale
Streamlined, economy of weight.
Top. Nice shaping.
Accuracy: Excellent. Top notch.
Conclusion
I am quite happy with this purchase. I still feel this is a bargain. With this particular design I do not wish it had a hand guard rondel. I also am fine with it lacking a shod foot. If I were to ever get the other A&A pollaxe? Well, I would want something slightly customized, an addition of a foot spike.
Thank you for reading.
#217 Burgundian Poleaxe
A reproduction of Wallace Collection A925
Late in November of 2012 I got a chance to visit Arms & Armor while I was in Minnesota. It was a very pleasant experience and while there I purchased this weapon.
I am not affiliated with Arms & Armor. I paid full price for this piece and it was purchased new.
Skip to "Fit and Finish" if you don't want or need the history lesson.
What Is It?
First a bit about the term. Modern spelling is often "poleaxe" which infers rightly that it is an axe on a pole. "Pole" of course implying a long stick or haft- which they are. This is a basic misunderstanding and mispelling. The historical English term is "pollaxe". The word "poll" seems to be synonymous with the meaning of "head". One could therefore deem this is a "head-axe", "head striking axe", or even perhaps -though wildly inaccurate- a "headsman's axe". My take on the meaning is that it is an axe with a specialized head. Am I wrong? Perhaps! Does the spelling matter? Nope.
The French, as far as I know, called such a weapon a "Hache", which is to say, simply an "axe". The German terms are Axt, Axe, Streitaxt (Battle Axe) or Mordaxt (Death Axe). I am sure there are as many terms for such a weapon as forms of the weapon. The general terms for both forms in German tend to be: "fussstreithammer" (foot/ground battle hammer) and "fussstreitaxt".
The Pollaxe forms a large family of very closely related weapons. The two generally acknowledged groups are the Hammer form, a weapon without an axe blade, with a hammer head opposite of a well formed and robust armour piercing spike generally known as a "raven's beak" or "Bec de Corbin". These are often known today by the shorthand term of "Lucerne Hammer". The second grouping is simply known as the Pollaxe. This is a thin edged, robust bodied axe head often opposite of the same Bec de Corbin. Both variations are often topped with a robust armour piercing spike or spear point.
There is an interesting possibility in Talhoffer's 1459 Fightbook (MS Thott.290.2º) that some pollaxes were modular, reconfigurable weapons. Here is an image showing the pollaxe broken down into components- or the components to make a complete pollaxe, depending on how you take this image. Notice the threading of each component. There are two different "queue" or haft-foot spikes/attachments shown.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_110r.jpg
Also notice in this Fightbook manuscript the variation of pollaxe attachments.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_133r.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_135v.jpg
Really, when you look at such axes you can, if you wish, see their "grandchild" status in relation to the Viking Great Axes. Also it is an obvious thing to say that while not the same as many of the spike/axe/spear-point configured halberds they are closely related.
Really Now, What Is It?
The pollaxe is an anti-armour weapon. It is a knightly weaponized "can-opener". Consider when looking at these next manuscript plates that plate armours were generally about as thick as the steel body panels in a modern car body, with varying thickness dependant on the piece and how sturdy it needed to be made to protect and resist kinetic shock. The thickness and qualities of plate armours is much more complex than this analogy, but I will let that stand as a quick and dirty understanding of what protected these men. Are these images fantasy? I suggest that you might look at the robustness of build of the components of some antique pollaxes. Sometimes in old manuscripts we see images of heroic proportions and actions to lionize a particular personage or nationality. But to me in this case what we are seeing is a really nasty medieval can-opener/super-weapon in action.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_132r.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: ... A_134v.jpg
Whatever conclusion you come to, this is some pretty cool art!
Do you want to see more of this fightbook without all that icky old dead/archaic language confusing the issue? I reccomend Jeffery Hull's excellent Fight Earnestly. hemaalliance.com/?p=1548
This pollaxe is a close reproduction of Pollaxe A925 in the Wallace Collection. It is impossible for me to know exactly how close this weapon is to the original. However, Arms & Armor is a well known and respected maker that is lauded for sturdy and accurate reproductions. In order to gauge the accuracy I would need more pictures than are publically available for free, or better yet, the ability to handle the original piece. I personally trust Arms & Armor. If there are inaccuracies they are the result of justifiable reasoning, and not an inability to reproduce or comprehend exactly this or any weapon artifact.
Fit and Finish
Nicely done. Not as ornate as their other pollaxe, which is also based on a museum artifact. While their other pollaxe is perhaps the one more highly sought by HEMA people, this one is sure pretty too. I prefer this one just a bit now. Quite light for such a weapon, weighing in at ever-so-slightly over four pounds. I have swords heavier than this, though they are pretty big swords. This piece is finished quite acceptably. There still exists some forge-black in between the teeth of the hammer. This piece exhibits all the little quirks and asymmetries you would expect upon viewing the original. I really like that.
I am so happy to finally own a spiked/pointed weapon where the spike is actually servicable. It might look dull, but all the cutting/crunching surfaces on pollaxes are optimized to bite into armour and not skate off. Notice the slightly downturned tilt of the hammerhead, this is seen on the original. I would wager this is not a flaw or damage to the original piece but instead puts the hammer inline during a swinging strike... because you don't tap with hammers.
The haft is narrowest where it butts up against the head's base. It gently and consistently expands towards the foot of the haft. For this particular piece, which is not iron/steel shod on the haft-foot, this makes sense. Pollaxe guards/wards are pretty varied, but there is one particular often repeated tactic: present the foot to the opponent while holding the head back past you. When the opponent engages you, recieve the strike on the foot and bring the head of the weapon in as a strike. So since this is unprotected by a cap it really needs to be thick to take such punishment.
The langets (the tongues riveted through the haft holding the head in place) are not inset into the haft. This is perfectly acceptable and is one accurate way in which these (and other polearms) are constructed. People like to go on about the langets protecting the haft of the polearm from being cut off. It is true. I also like to think about the langets preventing a possible fulcrum if something starts to break down structurally in the mounting. The rivetting is spread down the langets, not simply joined in one spot. While I sometimes wonder if other weapons could/did often get cut at strongly enough *in one shot* to require langets, it makes sense for all of these langet equipped designs for a long life out of the object. Pollaxes to me are the exception. I would think another pollaxe or halberd COULD really mess up the haft of something opposing it quite quickly.
Balance in this piece is noted in the pictures. Balance seems like it is also sort of a pointless endeavor with a pollaxe. These weapons are gripped widely in two hands and used much like staves. I would think over all weight matters as much if not more than balance. This pollaxe is quite fast. Upon seeing it in person you are struck at how small overall the head of it actually is dimensionally. Then you realize this head is sitting aloft a quite long haft. These together produce something harmonious and well thought out. It is just big enough, just stout enough to do what it is intended to do, without Conan-weapon proportions needed.
70 inches/178 CM 4.3 LB/1.95 KG
The foot of the haft showing a bit of hand rounding.
Obliques of the head. Notice the edge bevelling. Perfectly acceptable. This is not a sword after all.
Balance point is at index finger
Just wicked. Notice the bit of forge-black peeking out from inside the crown of hammer teeth.
An HT blunt trainer longsword and an A&A Durer longsword for scale
Streamlined, economy of weight.
Top. Nice shaping.
Accuracy: Excellent. Top notch.
Conclusion
I am quite happy with this purchase. I still feel this is a bargain. With this particular design I do not wish it had a hand guard rondel. I also am fine with it lacking a shod foot. If I were to ever get the other A&A pollaxe? Well, I would want something slightly customized, an addition of a foot spike.
Thank you for reading.